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The CEP blog aims to offer a range of perspectives, experiences, and opinions related to effective philanthropic practice. We welcome submissions that address crucial issues facing individual and institutional donors and are not self-promotional in nature. The views expressed in these posts are not necessarily CEP’s own.
Andrea Brock shares a data point from our “Foundation Transparency” report about nonprofits’ desire for funders to be more open about their experiences with what hasn’t worked in their grantmaking.
Brian Hughes offers foundations advice on how to make the most of the performance review process.
Guest author Kelly Brown of the D5 Coalition discusses the progress to date of philanthropy’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, while highlighting how much remains to be done for the field to reach its full potential.
Guest author Caroline Altman Smith of The Kresge Foundation offers advice for setting expectations to get funder/grantee relationships off on the right foot.
Phil Buchanan makes a case for philanthropy as an independent academic pursuit and lauds Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen for aiding that cause.
Grace Nicolette announces the translation of CEP’s “Essentials of Foundation Strategy” report into simplified and complex Chinese.
Guest author Carol Ting advises funders to recognize that relationships with their grantees are symbiotic and suggests making an effort to rebalance the inherent power dynamics to make those partnerships more effective.
Manager Grace Nicolette reports out on the lessons learned from a recent survey of our Donor Perecption Report subscribers.
Ellie Buteau and Phil Buchanan introduce CEP’s newest research report that lays out practical advice for foundation program staff to strengthen relationships with their grantees.
Phil Buchanan continues his exposition on the nonprofit overhead debate, warning that a failure to acknowledge our worst offenders blurs our ability to make a cogent argument.
Phil Buchanan weighs in on the issue of overemphasis on overhead as a measure of nonprofit effectiveness.
Guest author Caitlin Stanton voices concern about how progress toward complex goals is measured and proposes a new model for setting strategic goals.
Phil Buchanan and Aaron Dorfman dispute the notion that there is an inherent tension between strategy and social-change movements; in fact, they argue, is essential to grass-roots success.
Amber Bradley introduces a short video demonstration of our new online reporting system which allows funders greater customization in viewing and analyzing survey data.
CEP Board Member Jim Knickman wonders whether or not the risks his foundation has been making are really risky enough.
Mark Russell reflects on the lessons from our conference, specifcally about the challenge of truly listening.
Jara Dean-Coffey explores the idea of design thinking, as introduced by Peter Sims during the 2013 CEP conference, posing questions for foundations as they think about making their own “little bets.”
Guest author Jim Canales dicusses the role transparency plays in getting the most from foundation boards.
CEP Board Member Vincent Stehle gears up for the screening of “Detropia” during the May 20-22 CEP conference in Detroit, Michigan.
Reviewing our new “Foundation Transparency” report, guest author Aaron Dorfman reflects on the history of this topic and realizes how little has changed in the past three decades.